GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Walkability Analysis in the City Centre of Çanakkale

Abstract

Walkability has attracted growing attention in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. In
Turkey, this shift has mainly been visible in metropolitan cities through SUMP-related
policies. In this context, this study focuses on the city centre of Çanakkale, and it proposes an
approach that can both support the development of rapid walkability assessment tools for
SUMP-related planning and help analyse walking potential in mid-sized settlements. The
study examines seven neighbourhoods in the city centre. Using the AHP technique, four
experts working on urban design defined a parameter hierarchy based on land use,
accessibility, street network, pedestrian comfort, safety, aesthetics, and environmental quality.
These dimensions were then integrated with GIS, space syntax, and field-based observation to
generate street-level walkability scores. For each street, land-use diversity, accessibility,
connectivity, local integration, slope, night-light conditions, derelict buildings, blue views,
historic streetscape elements, landmarks, green density, and noise level were quantitatively
calculated. The findings reveal clear spatial disparities between neighbourhoods and identify
four hierarchical categories ranging from low to moderately high walkability.